swirl

[ swurl ]
/ swɜrl /

verb (used without object)

to move around or along with a whirling motion; whirl; eddy.
to be dizzy or giddy, as the head.

verb (used with object)

to cause to whirl; twist.

noun

Origin of swirl

1375–1425; late Middle English (north) < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian svirla; cognate with Dutch zwirrelen to whirl, German (dial.) schwirrlen to totter; all < a root *swir- (whence Danish svirre to whirl, German schwirren to whir) + -l- frequentative suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM swirl

swirl·ing·ly, adverb out·swirl, verb (used with object)

Example sentences from the Web for swirl

British Dictionary definitions for swirl

swirl
/ (swɜːl) /

verb

to turn or cause to turn in a twisting spinning fashion
(intr) to be dizzy; swim my head was swirling

noun

a whirling or spinning motion, esp in water
a whorl; curl
the act of swirling or stirring
dizzy confusion

Derived forms of swirl

swirling, adjective swirlingly, adverb swirly, adjective

Word Origin for swirl

C15: probably from Dutch zwirrelen; related to Norwegian svirla, German schwirren